Development of the professional role of diabetes nurses in specialised diabetes and primary care in Catalonia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe therapeutic education programmes in diabetes in Catalonia and the differences according to the healthcare setting in which the patients are attended (primary care [PC] and specialised diabetes care [SDC]).

Method: We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional, comparative study of diabetes nurses (DN) in SDC and PC in Catalonia. The sample was obtained from all the DN in SDC and a randomised cluster sample of DN in PC. The questionnaire of the Study of European Nurses in Diabetes (SEND) validated in Spanish was used.

Results: A total of 287 questionnaires were analysed (24.3% SDC and 75.6% PC). More training in diabetes through masters, postgraduate courses and continuing education was observed in SDC (p<0.001) as well as structured, written, education programmes and the combination of individual and group education strategies (p<0.05). The roles of educator, consultant, researcher, manager, liaison or collaborator and innovator and the telematic follow-up of patients was also more developed in SDC (p<0.05). The grade of work satisfaction was elevated in both groups.

Conclusions: (1) Nursing professionals in SDC assume more roles of specialised clinical nursing and also have more training in diabetes and therapeutic education than PC professionals. (2) Professionals in SDC work with a greater proportion of structured diabetes therapeutic education programmes although this should improve in both settings. According to the results obtained and the scientific evidence currently available, the training of DN working in the care of people with diabetes should be accredited in order to increase the use of structured programmes and investigation by DNs in both healthcare settings.